Canal Winchester

Flowers hired as planning administrator

Canal Winchester's new planning and zoning administrator started his job March 11, filling the vacancy left by Andrew Dutton at the end of January.

Chad Flowers, a planner and urban designer, previously worked at OHM Advisors, a Columbus-based design firm.

He will be paid a base salary of $51,480 annually, plus benefits.

Flowers was born and raised in Upper Arlington and completed his bachelor's degree in landscape architecture at Ohio State University in 2002. He said he worked in various planning, design and project leadership capacities during his 10 years with OHM Advisors.

"Through the years, I worked with several different cities on projects which really got me involved with those communities," Flowers said. "I found that to be a good challenge and I really enjoyed serving the residents, finding ways to enhance their communities. That's what attracted me to working for Canal Winchester in this capacity full time."

According to Flowers, he's lived in Grove City for several years and had various family members who have lived in Canal Winchester.

"I'm very familiar with this community and glad to be working here," he said.

Development Director Lucas Haire has been doing double duty in his daily role as well as filling in as planning and zoning administrator.

He said he was glad to have the position filled so projects such as the Geographic Information Systems mapping system and zoning text updates could continue moving forward.

Flowers said he's excited to continue that work.

"I'm going to focus on continuing to develop the GIS system, which is an important project for the city, and continue to develop the zoning codes to make sure the city keeps moving forward with good development opportunities," Flowers said.

"I'm really excited to join the city and look forward to getting to know all of the staff and meeting the residents."